The National Merit® Scholarship Program is widely viewed as the most prestigious national award bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Finalists are chosen based on their academic records and extracurricular activities.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 2, 2004) --The University of Kentucky ranks 22nd among public universities nationwide for the number of new freshman National Merit Scholars ®, according to a ranking compiled by the Chronicle of Higher Education. UK ranks 48th among all public and private universities.

The rankings, based on figures from the 2003-2004 academic year, notes UK had 45 freshman Merit Scholars, with 33 sponsored by the university.

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is widely viewed as the most prestigious national award bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Finalists are chosen based on their academic records and extracurricular activities.

The information is published in the Chronicle’s Aug. 27, 2004, almanac issue for the 2004-2005 academic year. The listing is based on information in the 2002-03 annual report of the National Merit Scholarship Corp.